Leaking Windows on RVs: 4 Fixes

Leaking Windows on RVs: 4 Fixes

Window leaks can be a common problem in RVs, campers, and motorhomes. To help you fix those windows, here are four tips for RV maintenance.

Have you ever had a leaking window on your RV? It wouldn’t surprise us if you answered “yes.” It happens to many RVs, campers, and motorhomes after a while. Some RV owners have woken up to discover their pillows and sheets are wet. Other people find leaking windows in other areas of their recreational vehicle. It’s no secret that a lot of RV owners end up putting a lot of money into vehicle repairs. This can take the fun out of what’s supposed to be an enjoyable hobby. To help you get the most out of your RV experience, we share these tips for fixing leaking wonders on RVs.

Here are ways to fix leaks in your RV’s windows, ranging from easy to more involved:

1. Tape a Garbage Bag Over the Window

We admit that this is not a permanent fix. You should do this if it’s still raining or you don’t otherwise have time to inspect the issue. To keep more water from leaking into your RV, tape a garbage back or other large piece of plastic over the window. Make sure you seal it to your RV as tightly as possible. This can buy you time until it stops raining and you can inspect the interior and exterior of your RV to find the cause.

2. Check Your Drip Slots

When your RV’s drip slots become filled with dirt, this can cause leaking windows. This is why it’s best to check your drips slots after you first notice a leak. Find the little slot in the metal outside; there usually are two per window. Use a knife blade to help clean them out to see if that fixes the problem. If this is the cause of your leak, cleaning the slots can be a quick, easy fix.

3. Try Some Flex Seal

Yes, we do mean that can of spray sealant that’s sold on TV. This can be a quick, easy fix for small leaks. Will it fix the leaky window in your RV? It all depends upon the size of the hole. In most cases, you can seal the window from the inside by spraying Flex Seal around the edges of the window. For more serious leaks, try spraying the sealant on the outside of the window, too. Here are some things you need to remember when using Flex Seal:

This stuff comes out of the can in a wide spray. If you don’t want Flex Seal all over the interior or exterior of your RV, it’s best to put up some painter’s tape.

If you’re using Flex Seal inside your motorhome, you must be mindful of the fumes. Do your spraying when you and your family will be away from the vehicle for at least a few hours. Remember to open all the windows to help release those fumes.

4. Caulk Your Window:

If you’ve tried everything else and your window still leaks, it’s time to pull out the big guns… the caulking guns, that is. We tried to save you from this with the quick and easy fixes shared above, but apparently, the problem is much bigger. That’s okay. We’ll break down the window-caulking process in X easy steps.

Here’s what you need:

Silicone sealer, aka caulk

A ladder

Sponges or dry rags/towels

Caulking gun

Painter’s or masking tape

Razor blade or razor knife

Now that you have your tools, here is how you fix leaking windows on your RV:

The first, most obvious step is locating the source of the leak. It might be easy to find because there will be missing caulk or holes in the existing caulking around this point.

Use a razor blade to carefully remove the old caulking from around the edges of the window where the leak was found. Be careful not to scratch or cut your window, the siding, or yourself.

Once the old caulking is removed, you must clean the outside of the window frame. Use your favorite cleaner and a sponge. While you’re at it, you might as well wash the window, too.

Once the area is dry, it’s time to apply some masking or painter’s tape. Use this to cover the areas where you don’t want the caulk to attach.

Prepare the caulk by opening the tube of sealer and cutting a hole in its tip. Use a long nail or screwdriver to punch a hole in the tube’s membrane. Now, insert the sealant tube into the caulking gun. Now you’re ready to caulk.

Apply a small amount of caulking around the edge of the window where the leak is located. Remember to apply constant pressure on the trigger of the caulking gun as you work, and try to avoid pauses.

Wait until at least twenty-four hours after the caulk dries to remove the tape.

Congratulations! You’ve just fixed the leaking window on your RV!

Don’t Install Satellite TV Yourself!

When fixing leaking windows on RVs, the do-it-yourself approach usually works. The opposite when it comes to installing satellite TV in your RV, motorhome, or camper. If you’ve considered adding DIRECT or DISH to your RV, we don’t recommend trying to install it yourself.

Here are just three of the things that can go wrong when inexperienced installers try the DIY approach:

You purchase the wrong satellite dish. Mobile satellite TV requires a special type of satellite dome designed to operate in the specific conditions presented in RVs. Simply buying the same type of dish you have at home then trying to attach it to your motorhome won’t do the trick.

Improper installation. There’s a lot more to installing satellite TV in RVs then hooking up a dish and receiver and connecting some wires. There much more to it than that. These complicated jobs are best left to professional satellite TV installers who specialize in delivering DIRECTV and DISH to recreational vehicles.

You could damage your RV. Satellite TV installation often means drilling holes into your RV. For inexperience installers, this puts you at a huge risk for some costly repair bills. If you really don’t know what you’re doing, you could ruin your expensive recreational vehicle. Since RV installations are a tricky job, we recommend you trust it to professional installers.

Get Hassle-Free Satellite TV for Your RV

If you want your favorite shows when you’re on the road, Signal Connect can help. We’re a DIRECTV and DISH authorized dealer. Let us match you with the right satellite TV provider based upon your viewing needs. Signal Connect also will match you with a professional satellite TV installer to make sure your DIRECTV or DISH system is properly set up. To find out more how Signal Connect can provide you with the ultimate satellite TV experience, give us a call at 866.726.4182.